Frederick Alfred Fritzel, aged 82, died suddenly on December 16, 2016 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia, while taking a walk on a sunny winter day.
Born May 13, 1934, Alfred grew up in Vernon, BC, graduating from Fulton High School in 1954. As a young man, he worked for BC Hydro, then attended the University of British Columbia, earning a degree in teaching. He taught at Port Alberni Senior Secondary, then at Red Hill College in Surrey, England, and at Maple Ridge Secondary School. In 1968, he settled in Salmon Arm, BC, teaching physics, math, and shop at Salmon Arm Senior Secondary School and Eagle River Secondary until his retirement in 1994.
He was skilled in woodworking, metalworking, electronics and mechanics. He was an inventor, an entrepreneur, a life-long learner, and was passionate about farming and gardening. His recent fascination with organic gardening resulted in Al completing a specialized education course on soil health and how to grow healthier plants and food. He was well respected in the community, and genuinely interested in everyone he met. He had a warm and generous spirit, and was vital to the end of his life.
Alfred married Patricia Leonard on July 25, 1964 in England; they lived in Salmon Arm until her death in July of 2008. Al was extremely proud of his three children, Gene Fritzel of Dawson Creek (children Andrew 15, and Nicholas, 13, adult children Michelle and Jeffrey), Anne Fritzel, of Olympia, Washington (Tom Skjervold, and children Adam, 15, and Samuel, 12), and Graham Fritzel, of Red Deer, Alberta (wife Sarah, and children Anna, 3 Brook, 1, and Max, deceased).
On August 28, 2010, Alfred married Joyce Jack, welcoming her adult children Barbara Butler (husband Stacey, and children Dawson, 16, and Alayna, 12) and Ivan Jack (Gwen Calliou and daughter Savannah), to the family.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Jack, his sister Mary Schoeggl in Calgary, Alberta, and his brother Phillip Fritzel in Vancouver B.C.
A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Salmon Arm United Church. Alfred will be laid to rest with his parents, Frank and Aurelia Fritzel, at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Vernon BC.
Donations in Al’s memory may be made to the Shuswap Community Foundation or the Council of Canadians.
Condolences may be forwarded to the family through Al’s obituary at www.bowersfuneralservice.com